On Thursday, May 18, HRC’s Welcoming Schools program and the National Education Association (NEA) will hold the second annual National I Am Jazz School and Community Readings. Hosting one of these readings in your community is one of many ways that teachers, principals, PTAs, and local community members can show transgender students that they aren’t alone.

I only wish this type of event existed when I was in elementary school. Before I even came out as transgender, I remember asking one of my elementary school teachers if she had any books with “a kid like me” as the protagonist, struggling to find language to ask for reflections of myself as a gender-creative kid. The best she could do was hand me Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet. While that book became one of my favorite books as a kid, it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. My teacher knew what I was asking for, but she didn’t have the resources to help.

However, with books likeI am Jazz, Annie’s Plaid Shirt, andIntroducing Teddy times have changed. There are more books on the market to help children and adults alike understand gender and what it means to be transgender. Allowing students to hear and read stories that reflect their realities is just one way to help all youth to succeed in school academically and socially. The best part? You can get involved right now.

You can make a difference by signing up to read I Am Jazz in a classroom or community on May 18.

What does it mean to host a reading?

All you have to do is gather a group of people together or schedule time in your classroom and read I Am Jazz. At HRC's first annual day of reading last year, more than 3,500 people across the country joined us.

Last year, the reading events were incredibly diverse and creative. Some readings included just a few friends in a living room or were held by teachers in their classrooms, while others were open to the public in libraries or places of worship. You can make your event as small or as big as you’d like.

Plus, we’ll make sure you have extra goodies like our favorite gender-related resources and optional press releases to send to local media. Email HRC at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we can help advertise your event.